coming aboard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coming aboard" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate someone joining a group, organization, or team, often in a nautical or metaphorical context. Example: "We are thrilled to have you coming aboard as our new project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Before coming aboard at Columbia, she has had experience working in education, museum studies and event planning.

Columbia University

I had been sleeping in this last one myself since coming aboard, because there was only one extra bunk for an officer and the commander had that.

The New Yorker

It was just past 10 a.m. on a blazing Sunday in July, and the public was due to start coming aboard soon — too soon, Ms. Ward felt.

The New York Times - Arts

"There's no way that drop net is coming aboard," the boat captain told him, according to a report Ocean Friendly filed with the Commerce Department.

The New York Times

So either Vidpresso lowered its bar for an exit or Facebook made coming aboard worth its while.

TechCrunch

We're coming aboard!" The ship slowly moved away, separating itself from the wharf and from us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"They'd just come aboard, weren't abreast about everything.

The New York Times - Sports

"The crew requests permission to come aboard," said Cmdr.

The New York Times

Sandy also looks to come aboard before high tide.

The Guardian

He describes the scientist as the guy who always comes aboard with sandwiches.

The New Yorker

"We are preparing to come aboard," they announced.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure clarity, specify the entity someone is joining immediately after the phrase. For example, "She is coming aboard the marketing team" instead of just "She is coming aboard".

Common error

Avoid using "coming aboard" in contexts where it feels out of place or too metaphorical. In some cases, simpler alternatives like "joining" or "starting" may be more appropriate for modern or informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming aboard" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically acts as an adverbial, modifying a verb by indicating the action of joining or entering something, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coming aboard" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, indicating the act of joining a group, organization, or project. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While versatile, it leans towards a slightly formal tone and is most commonly found in news, business, and academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "joining the team" or "getting involved" for more informal settings. When writing, use "coming aboard" to express someone's addition to an entity, ensuring clarity by specifying what they are joining. Be mindful of overusing nautical metaphors in inappropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting on board

A very similar phrase, almost interchangeable, but can sometimes imply a more metaphorical sense of agreement or support.

joining the team

Focuses specifically on becoming a member of a team.

becoming a member

Highlights the act of officially joining a group or organization.

getting involved

Emphasizes participation and engagement in an activity or project.

participating in

Stresses the act of taking part in an event or activity.

signing up

Suggests a formal process of enrollment or registration.

embarking on

Implies starting a new venture or journey, often with excitement.

joining forces

Indicates collaborating or uniting with others towards a common goal.

enlisting in

Suggests joining a cause or effort, often with a sense of commitment.

allying with

Implies forming an alliance or partnership with someone or a group.

FAQs

What does "coming aboard" mean?

The phrase "coming aboard" generally means joining a team, organization, or project. It can also refer to physically boarding a ship or other vessel.

Is "coming aboard" the same as "on board"?

While related, they have different usages. "Coming aboard" indicates the act of joining, while "on board" signifies already being a member or participant. For instance, "We're excited to have you "joining us"" versus "All team members are now on board".

What can I say instead of "coming aboard" in a formal context?

In more formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "joining", "becoming a member of", or "participating in" for clearer communication.

Can "coming aboard" be used in a non-literal sense?

Yes, it's often used metaphorically to describe someone joining a new project, team, or initiative. This usage implies integration and participation, as in "We're thrilled to have her "joining the team"".